« Adorable! | Main | White Stripes + Lego! »
June 08, 2006
Word to the WISE
As some of you may recall, I’ve given Linux a try a few times. I love the idea of Linux. I love the idea of an operating system that doesn’t care what browser I use, or what word processor I’m typing on, or any of the scores of things that Microsoft is invested in. Yet no mater how much I like Linux in theory, its execution seems lacking...
Specifically, its executables seem lacking. Here’s the process when I use Windows:
1) I download the file
2) I double-click the file that ends in “.exe” or “.msi”
3) I hit “I agree” once then “next” a bunch of times
4.1) I may have to reboot.
4.2) I use the damned program
Here’s how that runs when I use Linux
1) I download the file
2) I stare at the file helplessly while I try to figure out what to do next. I’ve heard rumors of something called “apt-get”? Where is that? the hell? I dunno what to do. Why did I even bother with Linux? Gah! This is so frustrating..
3) Abandon the attempt. Reformat the hard drive to remove Linux. (Reformatting, you see, is easier than installing a program)
It isn’t like Linux developers are blind to this problem. Linspire has developed an entire business model around it. Other developers use a similar method of program-delivery. Basically each distribution vendor takes responsibility for each bit of software that will go onto user’s computers, and gives it whatever tweaks and bits that will make it work for their users. Imagine if the easiest, most simple method of getting new programs was to download them from Microsoft...
Linux is making great strides towards becoming a viable desktop operating system. No matter how pretty Linux’s new eye candy, no matter how "secure"* is, no matter the great new features, if I can’t decide to install a great new program no one has ever heard of before—or even an older program the 6 person staff who make my distro don’t use— Linux has no utility for me. The problem is solvable, if the will is there...
*I have this sneaking suspicion that half of Linux’s security reputation rests on this very inability to install programs.
Posted by Andrew at June 8, 2006 01:02 PM